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Interannual Variability of Marine Heat Waves in the South Indian Ocean

delete2026-04-01
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PRE
AI
C
Chuang Li
S
Shaojun Zheng *
C
Chenyu Zheng
L
Lingling Xie
L
Li Yan
DOI:10.1175/JCLI-D-25-0216.1delete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Marine heat waves (MHWs) are significant extreme climate events within the oceanic system that profoundly impact ecosystems and socioeconomic conditions. The south Indian Ocean (SIO) plays a critical role in both global and regional climate regulation, influencing climate variability in regions such as Africa and East Asia. This study systematically investigates the interannual variability and dynamic mechanisms of MHWs in the SIO based on satellite sea surface temperature data and reanalysis datasets from 1982 to 2021. The MHWs in the SIO exhibit significant interannual variability associated with El Ni & ntilde;o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The mean intensity anomaly of MHWs in the SIO region of 60 degrees-90 degrees E, 15 degrees-25 degrees S is significantly correlated with the Ni & ntilde;o-3.4 index with a correlation coefficient of 0.57, lagging the Ni & ntilde;o-3.4 index by 3 months. The mixed-layer heat budget analysis indicates that the energy source for MHWs in the SIO is mainly from the atmospheric net surface heat flux, particularly influenced by latent heat and longwave radiation. During the decaying phases of El Ni & ntilde;o events, abnormal northwesterly winds suppress the background southeasterly winds, reducing evaporation and suppressing latent heat release from the ocean. The increase in total clouds in the SIO weakens the shortwave radiation reaching the ocean surface, but the increase in high clouds strengthens the longwave radiation as a greenhouse effect. Meanwhile, the relatively shallow mixed-layer depth could promote the formation of MHWs. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of MHWs in the SIO and their relation to large-scale ocean-atmosphere processes.
Keywords:
Indian Ocean
Atmosphere-ocean interaction
ENSO
Sea surface temperature
Interannual variability

Journal

Journal of Climate cover
Journal of Climate
IF:
4
Papers:
1.4W
Citations:
5.9W

Organization

G
guangdong ocean university
Scholars:
2.0K
Papers: 579
Citations: 0
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